Basketball system

ABSTRACT

A basketball system may include a basketball goal and a support structure sized and configured to support the basketball goal at a desired height. The basketball goal may include a rim assembly, which may include a ring, one or more rim braces and one or more reinforcing members connected to the ring and the rim braces. The support structure may include a support pole. The basketball system may include a support member connected to a lower end of the support pole, which may form a generally T-shaped configuration. The support member may have a generally rigid construction and may be connected to a support surface to help secure the support pole in a generally fixed position. The basketball system may also include one or more braces that may have a low profile and that may be connected to the support pole and/or the support member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 60/778,694, filed Mar. 3, 2006 and entitledBASKETBALL SYSTEM, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a basketball system and, inparticular, to a portable basketball system and a basketball goal.

2. Description of Related Art

The game of basketball is played by many people throughout the world.Briefly, the game of basketball typically includes a flat and levelplaying surface with a basketball goal at each end of the court. Thebasketball goal, which may include a backboard and a rim or hoop, istypically attached to the top of a support pole. The rim or hoop isnormally located ten feet above the playing surface and the backboardmay be constructed from materials such as wood, plastic or temperedglass.

Conventional basketball goals typically include a backboard that ispositioned perpendicular to the playing surface and a rim that ispositioned parallel to the playing surface. The rim of many conventionalbasketball goals is rigidly mounted to the basketball backboard, but therim may also be pivotally mounted to the backboard to create a breakawaytype rim. The rims of some conventional basketball goals may berelatively weak and can undesirably bend or break when a large force isapplied to the rim, such as when a player dunks a basketball or hangsfrom the rim.

Known basketball systems may by permanently secured in a fixed locationby, for example, inserting an end of the support pole into the ground.Known basketball systems may also be part of a portable basketballsystem that is capable of being moved from one location to another. Forexample, the support pole may be connected to a base and the base may befiled with ballast material, such as sand or water. Undesirably, someknown portable basketball systems can be inadvertently moved. Forinstance, while the basketball system is being used, it mayinadvertently be moved out of position. If this occurs, the basketballsystem may have to be repositioned, which may undesirably take time andinterrupt playing basketball.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A need therefore exists for a basketball system that eliminates ordiminishes the disadvantages and problems described above.

One aspect is a basketball system that may include a basketball goal,which may include a backboard, a rim and a net. The basketball systemmay also include a support structure that is sized and configured tosupport the basketball goal at a desired height above a playing surface.The support structure may support the basketball goal at a fixed heightor the height of the basketball goal may be adjustable. In addition, thebasketball system may be sized and configured to be fixed in permanentlocation or be part of a portable basketball system. Further, thebasketball system may have various shapes, sizes, configurations andarrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of thebasketball system. The basketball system may also include various partsand components depending, for example, upon the intended use of thebasketball system.

Another aspect is a basketball system that may include a supportstructure which includes a support pole. The support pole may consist ofa unitary, one-piece structure or it may include multiple pieces thatare interconnected. The bottom portion of the support pole may beconnected to a base, which may be used to create a portable basketballsystem. For example, the base may include a hollow interior portion thatis formed from blow-molded plastic and the base may be filled withballast material, such as sand or water. Advantageously, all or aportion of the support pole may be packaged with the base, which mayfacilitate shipping. For example, the top portion of the base mayinclude an elongated opening and at least a portion of the support polemay be inserted into the opening. In greater detail, the opening mayallow the support pole to be disposed at an angle. The opening may alsoallow at least a portion of the support pole to be disposed in thehollow interior portion of the base. Because all or a portion of thesupport pole may be disposed in the elongated opening and/or within thebase, this may reduce the amount of required storage space and/or thesize of the packaging, which may decrease shipping and storage costs.

Still another aspect is basketball system that may include a supportpole, which may be movable between an extended position and a collapsedposition, and a base. The top portion of the base may include an openingthat is in communication with a hollow interior portion of the base, andthe opening may be sized and configured to receive at least a portion ofthe support pole in the collapsed position. Advantageously, because theopening may be disposed in the top portion of the base, the base may bequickly and easily filled with ballast. In addition, the opening ispreferably elongated to allow the support pole to be disposed at anangle within the base. The support pole, however, could be disposed inother suitable locations and positions within the base, and the openingcould have other suitable shapes, sizes, arrangements and configurationsdepending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system.

Yet another aspect is a basketball system is a basketball system thatmay include a support member. The support member is preferablyconstructed from a rigid material, such as metal, and may be disposedproximate a front portion of the base. The support member may be sizedand configured to be connected to a support surface, such as a playingsurface or the ground. Advantageously, this may help secure thebasketball system in a fixed position. In addition, if the supportstructure is connected to the support member, then this may help securethe support structure in a fixed position, which may help secure thebasketball system in a fixed location. Thus, when it is desired tosecure the basketball system in a fixed location, the support member maybe connected to the support surface. On the other hand, when it isdesired to move the basketball system, the support member may bedisconnected from the support surface. If desired, one or more wheelsmay be connected to the support member or other portions of thebasketball system to facilitate movement of the basketball system.

A further aspect is a basketball system that may include one or morebraces connected to the support pole and the support member. Inparticular, a first brace may be attached to one side of the supportpole and one end of the support member, and a second brace may beconnected to the other side of the support pole and the other end of thesupport member. Advantageously, if the braces are connected to the sidesof the support pole, then the braces may provide lateral support to thesupport pole. It will be appreciated that the braces may be connected tothe support pole and the support member using one or more brackets,fasteners, connectors and the like.

Desirably, the braces may have a low profile that may help prevent thebraces from interfering with use of the basketball system because, forinstance, the braces may be unlikely to be stepped on or contacted whilethe basketball system is used. In particular, the braces may be disposedproximate to the support surface, the support member and/or the base tocreate a low-profile type brace. For example, the low-profile braces mayinclude a top portion and a bottom portion, and the top portion may bedisposed less than about 8 to 12 inches (20.3 centimeters to 30.5centimeters) from the support surface, the m support member and/or thebase. In addition, the low-profile braces may be disposed at arelatively small angle relative to the support surface, the supportmember and/or the base. Moreover, if desired, at least a substantialportion of the low-profile braces may be disposed within receivingportions formed in the base. It will be appreciated, however, thatlow-profile type braces are not required and the braces may be disposedin any suitable positions, configurations and arrangements relative tothe support surface, the support member and/or the base depending, forexample, upon the intended use of the basketball system.

A still further aspect is a basketball system that may include abasketball goal with a rim assembly. The rim assembly may include a rim,a mounting member connected to the rim and one or more braces connectedto the rim and the mounting member. The rim assembly may also includereinforcing members, which may be quickly and easily added or connectedto the rim assembly. Advantageously, because the reinforcing members arenot required, the reinforcing members may be manufactured, shippedand/or stored separately from the other portions of the rim assembly.Exemplary reinforcing members may include tie rods that can be connectedto and/or at least partially disposed between the braces and to the rimto help strengthen and/or reinforce the braces. Another exemplaryreinforcing member may be a ring or similar hoop-shaped structure. Forexample, a first ring may be connected to the rim assembly and a secondring may be connected to the first ring to may help strengthen and/orreinforce the first ring. It will be appreciated that the rim assemblymay include other suitable reinforcing members with appropriate shapes,sizes, arrangements and configurations.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments tofurther illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantagesand features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that thesedrawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are notintended to limit its scope. The invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary basketball system;

FIG. 2 a rear perspective view of the basketball system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the basketball system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the basketball systemshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the portion of the basketball system shown inFIG. 4, illustrating a portion of the basketball system in broken lines;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the basketball systemshown in FIG. 1, illustrating the base;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the basketballsystem shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the wheel assembly;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of the portion of the basketballsystem shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a lower perspective view of a portion of the basketball systemshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a portion of the base, wheel assembly andsupport member;

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the portion of the basketballsystem shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a lower perspective view of a portion of the basketballsystem shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the basketball systemshown in FIG. 1, illustrating an exemplary rim assembly;

FIG. 13 is a lower perspective view of the rim assembly shown in FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a right side view of the rim assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a left side view of the rim assembly shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a portion of the basketball system shown in FIG.1, illustrating an exemplary opening in the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally directed towards a basketball system.The principles of the present invention, however, are not limited to abasketball system. It will be understood that, in light of the presentdisclosure, the basketball system disclosed herein can be successfullyused in connection with other types of sporting systems.

Additionally, to assist in the description of the basketball system,words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left may be used todescribe the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn toscale. It will be appreciated, however, that the basketball system canbe located in a variety of desired positions—including various angles,sideways and even upside down. A detailed description of the basketballsystem now follows.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a basketball system 10 that may include abasketball goal 12, which may include a backboard 14, a rim 16 and anet. The basketball system 10 may also include a support structure 18that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal 12 at adesired height above a playing surface 20. The support structure 18 maysupport the basketball goal 12 at a fixed height or the height of thebasketball goal may be adjustable. In addition, the basketball system 10may be sized and configured to be fixed in permanent location or be partof a portable basketball system. For example, if the basketball system10 is part of a portable basketball system, then the system may includeone or more wheels which may facilitate movement of the system. Further,the basketball system 10 may have various shapes, sizes, configurationsand arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of thebasketball system. The basketball system 10 may also include variousparts and components, such as backboards, rims and the like, dependingupon the intended use of the basketball system. Thus, while thebasketball system 10 is shown in the accompanying figures as being partof a portable basketball system and with a rim having a particularconfiguration, it will be appreciated that the basketball system mayhave other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations, arrangements, partsand components.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the support structure 18 may include a supportpole 22. The support pole 22 may consist of a unitary, one-piecestructure or it may include multiple pieces that are interconnected. Thebottom portion of the support pole 22 may be connected to a base 24,which may be filled with ballast such as sand or water.

The bottom portion of the support pole 22 may also be connected to asupport member 26, as shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8, which may form agenerally T-shaped configuration. The support member 26 may be sized andconfigured to contact, abut and/or engage a support surface 20, such asthe playing surface or the ground. Advantageously, the support member 26may also be connected to the support surface 20. Significantly, this maysecure the bottom portion of the support pole 22 in a fixed position,which may help secure the basketball system 10 in a fixed location.Thus, in order to secure the basketball system 10 in a fixed location,the support member 26 may be connected to the support surface 20. On theother hand, when it is desired to move the basketball system 10, thesupport member 26 may be disconnected from the support surface 20.

In greater detail, a bracket 28 may be connected to the bottom portionof the support pole 22 and the support member 26 may be connected to thebracket to connect the support member to the support pole. For example,as shown in FIG. 8, the bracket 28 may have a generally U-shapedconfiguration including side portions 30, 32 and an intermediate portion34 disposed between side portions. An upper surface of the bracket'sintermediate portion 34 may be connected to the bottom portion of thesupport pole 22. A lower surface of the bracket's intermediate portion34 may contact, abut and/or engage an upper portion 36 of the supportmember. The side portions 30, 32 of the bracket 28 may contact, abutand/or engage generally opposing side portions 38, 40 of the supportmember 26, and the bracket's and the support member's side portions mayinclude openings 42, 44 sized and configured to receive fasteners toconnect the support member and the bracket to each other. As shown inFIG. 9, a lower portion of the base 24 may also include recesses 45 intowhich these fasteners may extend when inserted through the openings 42,44. It will be appreciated, however, that the bracket 28 may have avariety of other suitable shapes and/or configurations and that thesupport member 26 may be connected to the support pole 22 using one ormore suitable connectors, fasteners, welds, adhesives and/or any othersuitable means.

As mentioned above, the support member 26 may be connected to thesupport surface 20. For example, one or more fasteners, connectors orthe like may be secured to the support surface 20 using cement, and thesupport member 26 may include one or more openings sized and configuredto receive the fasteners or connectors. Desirably, the support member 26may be sized and configured to be quickly and easily connected to anddisconnected from the fasteners or connectors, which may allow thebasketball system 10 be selectively secured to the support surface. Itwill be appreciated, however, that the support member 26 may beconnected to the support surface 20 using any suitable structures and/ormeans.

The support member 26 may be constructed from a rigid material, such asmetal. Desirably, if the support pole 22 is connected to a generallyrigid support member 26 that is secured to the support surface 20, thenthe support pole 22 may remain an in a generally fixed position whensubstantial forces are applied to the basketball system 10, such as whena player dunks a basketball and/or contacts the rim 16. In addition,this may help the basketball system 10 experience less wear and tearwhen such forces are applied.

If desired, the support member 26 may have an elongated configuration, atubular configuration, a solid rod-like configuration, and/or othersuitable configurations. The support member 26 may have across-sectional shape that is generally rectangular, square, circular,oval, oblong, polygonal, U-shaped, I-shaped and/or other suitablecross-sectional shape. It will be appreciated, however, that the supportmember 26 may have a variety of other suitable shapes and/orconfigurations and may be constructed from other materials having othersuitable characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 7, the basketball system 10 may include one or morebraces 46 sized and configured to be connected to the support pole 22and the support member 26. For example, the braces 46 may includeelongated tubular members 48 and the braces may be connected to thesupport pole 22 and the support member 26 using brackets 50, 52. Inparticular, a first brace 46 may be attached to one side of the supportpole 22 and one end of the support member 36, and a second brace 46 maybe connected to the other side of the support pole and the other end ofthe support member. Advantageously, if the braces 46 are connected tothe sides of the support pole 22, then the braces may provide lateralsupport to the support pole. It will be appreciated that the braces 46may be connected to the support pole 22 and the support member 26 usingone or more suitable connectors, fasteners, welds, adhesives and/or anyother suitable means. It will also be appreciated that the braces 46 mayinclude other components having other suitable shapes and/orconfigurations.

Desirably, the braces 46 may have a low profile that may prevent thebraces from interfering with use of the basketball system 10. The braces46, for instance, may be sized and configured so that they are unlikelyto be stepped on or contacted while using the basketball system 10. Inparticular, the low-profile braces 46 may include a top portion and abottom portion, and the top portion may be disposed less than about 8 to12 inches (20.3 centimeters to 30.5 centimeters) from the supportsurface 20 and/or a lower portion 54 of the support member 36. Inaddition, the low-profile braces 46 may be disposed at an angle that isbetween 20 to 30 degrees, between 20 to 25 degrees, less than 30degrees, less than 25 degrees, less than 20 degrees and/or other anglesrelative to the support surface 20 and/or the lower portion 54 of thesupport member 36. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 4-5, the low-profilebraces 46 may be disposed proximate the base 24 and all or at least asubstantial portion of the braces may be disposed within the base and/orat a height that is less than the height of the top portion of the base.For instance, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10-11, the base 24 may include afirst receiving portion 56 sized and configured to receive at least halfof a first brace 46 and a second receiving portion 56 sized andconfigured to receive at least half of a second brace 46. It will beappreciated, however, that the braces 46 do not require a low profileand that the braces may be disposed in any suitable position relative tothe support surface 20, the base 24 and/or the support member 26.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the support member 26 may be disposed proximatethe front portion of the base 24. The side portion 32 of the bracket 28may be generally aligned in the same plane with surfaces 58 of the base24, and the side portion 40 of the support member 26 may contact, abutand/or engage the bracket's side portion and these surfaces. This mayhelp position the support member in a desired position relative to thebase and/or the bracket 28, which may facilitate faster assembly of thebasketball system 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the basketball system 10 may include one or morebraces 60, which may be connected to the support pole 22 and the base24. The basketball system 10 may also include one or more wheels 62 tofacilitate movement of the basketball system. As shown in FIGS. 7-8, thebasketball system 10 may include one or more axles 64, which may beconnected to the wheels 62 and the support member 26. For example, theaxles 64 may be connected to the brackets 52, which may be connected tothe support member 26 to connect the axles to the support member. Itwill be appreciated, however, that the axles 64 may be connected to thesupport member 26 using any other suitable means and that the wheels 62and/or the axles 64 may be connected any suitable portion of thebasketball system 10. It will also be appreciated that the basketballsystem does not require any wheels 62 or axles 64.

As shown in FIGS. 12-15, the basketball system 10 may include a rimassembly 66, which may include the rim 16, a mounting member 68connected to the rim and one or more braces 70 connected to the rim andthe mounting member. The rim assembly 66 may also include one or morereinforcing members that may be quickly and easily added to the rimassembly. Because the rim assembly does not require the reinforcingmembers, the reinforcing members may be manufactured and/or storedseparately and included in rim assemblies as desired.

Exemplary reinforcing members may include tie rods 72, which may beconnected to and/or at least partially disposed between the braces andto the rim 16 to help strengthen and/or reinforce the braces. Anotherexemplary reinforcing member may be an additional ring 74. Inparticular, the rim 16 may include a first ring 74 and an additionalsecond ring 74, which may be connected to the first ring to may helpstrengthen and/or reinforce the first ring.

The rim assembly 66 is preferably constructed from metal. For example,the mounting member 68 is preferably constructed from sheet metal andthe brace 70, the tie rods 72 and the rings 74 are preferablyconstructed from elongated metal members, such as generally solid rods,generally hollow tubes or the like. It will be appreciated, however,that the rim 16, the mounting member 68, the brace 70, the tie rods 72and the rings 74 may be constructed from other suitable materials havingother suitable configurations. It will also be appreciated that the rimassembly 66 does not require the tie rods 72 or the additional ring 74and that the rim assembly 66 may include other suitable reinforcingmembers with various appropriate configurations.

The base 24 may include a hollow interior portion formed, for example,during a blow-molding process. Advantageously, all or a portion of thesupport pole 22 may be packaged within the base 24, which may facilitateshipping. For example, the base 24 may include an opening 76 throughwhich at least a portion of the support pole 22 may be inserted. Ingreater detail, the opening 76 may be in communication with the hollowinterior portion of the base 24 and the opening may allow at least aportion of the support pole to be disposed in the hollow interiorportion of the base. Because all or a portion of the support pole may bepackaged with the base, this may reduce the amount of required storagespace and/or the size of the packaging, which may decrease shipping andstorage costs.

As mentioned above, the support pole 22 may include multiple pieces.This multi-piece construction may allow the support pole 22 to be movedbetween an extended position and a collapsed position. Desirably, theopening 76 may be sized and configured to receive at least a portion ofthe collapsed support pole 22, which may further reduce the amount ofrequired storage space and/or the size of the packaging.

All or at least a portion of the opening 76 may be disposed in the topportion of the base and/or may face in a generally upward angle relativeto a support surface 20, such as the playing surface 20 or the ground.In addition, the opening 76 preferably has a non-circular, oval and/orelongated shape. These features may help allow the support pole 22 to beinserted into the opening 76 at an angle relative to the support surface20 and/or disposed within the base at an angle relative to the supportsurface 20. In addition, these features may allow the base's hollowinterior to be quickly and easily filled with ballast.

It will be appreciated, however, that the opening 76 does not require anoval, elongated or non-circular shape and that the opening may haveother suitable shapes. It will also be appreciated that the opening maybe formed in other portions of the base 24 and that the support pole 22may be disposed in other suitable locations and positions within thebase.

The rim 16; the support pole 22; the support member 26; the brackets 28,50, 52; the braces 46; the braces 60; the axles 64 and the rim assembly66 are preferably constructed from metal, such as steel. Desirably, themetal components may be generally rigid and/or strong. It will beappreciated, however, that these components may be constricted fromother suitable materials having other suitable characteristics.

Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferredembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, thescope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claimswhich follow.

1. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a supportpole sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playingsurface, the support pole including an upper end disposed proximate thebasketball goal and a lower end disposed proximate a support surface; abase including a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receiveballast; and an elongated rigid member connected to the lower end of thesupport pole in a generally T-shaped configuration, the elongated rigidmember abutting and being sized and configured to be connected to thesupport surface to secure the support pole in a generally fixedposition, the elongated rigid member being disposed proximate the base.2. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein the basketballgoal includes a rim assembly including a ring, mounting member connectedto the rim, a rim brace connected to the ring and the mounting member,and a reinforcing member including a first end connected to the ring anda second end connected to the rim brace, the second end being spacedapart from the first end.
 3. The portable basketball system as in claim1, further comprising: a first brace connected to a first portion of theelongated rigid member, the first brace including a top portion and abottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 12 inches fromthe support surface; and a second brace connected to a second portion ofthe elongated rigid member, the second portion of the elongated rigidmember being spaced apart from the first portion of the elongated rigidmember, the first and second braces being connected to generallyopposing portions of the support pole, the second brace including a topportion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than12 inches from the support surface.
 4. The portable basketball system asin claim 1, further comprising: a first brace connected to a firstportion of the elongated rigid member, the first brace including a topportion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 8inches from the support surface; and a second brace connected to asecond portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of theelongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of theelongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected togenerally opposing portions of the support pole, the second braceincluding a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion beingdisposed less than 8 inches from the support surface.
 5. The portablebasketball system as in claim 1, further comprising: a first braceconnected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, the firstbrace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portionbeing disposed between 8 to 12 inches from the support surface; and asecond brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigidmember, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spacedapart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the firstand second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of thesupport pole, the second brace including a top portion and a bottomportion, the top portion being disposed between 8 to 12 inches from thesupport surface.
 6. The portable basketball system as in claim 1,further comprising: a first brace connected to a first portion of theelongated rigid member, the first brace being disposed at an angle thatis between 20 to 30 degrees relative to the support surface; and asecond brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigidmember, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spacedapart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the firstand second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of thesupport pole, the second brace being disposed at an angle that isbetween 20 to 30 degrees relative to the support surface.
 7. Theportable basketball system as in claim 1, further comprising: a firstbrace connected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, thefirst brace being disposed at an angle that is less than 30 degreesrelative to the support surface; and a second brace connected to asecond portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of theelongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of theelongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected togenerally opposing portions of the support pole, the second brace beingdisposed at an angle that is less than 30 degrees relative to thesupport surface.
 8. The portable basketball system as in claim 1,further comprising: a first brace connected to a first portion of theelongated rigid member, the first brace including a bottom portion and atop portion, the top portion being disposed at a height that is lessthan the height of a top portion of the base; and a second braceconnected to a second portion of the elongated rigid member, the secondportion of the elongated rigid member being spaced apart from the firstportion of the elongated rigid member, the first and second braces beingconnected to generally opposing portions of the support pole, the secondbrace including a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portionbeing disposed at a height that is less than the height of a top portionof the base.
 9. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, whereinthe elongated rigid member has a generally tubular configuration. 10.The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein the elongatedrigid member has a generally U-shaped cross section.
 11. The portablebasketball system as in claim 1, wherein the elongated rigid member isdisposed proximate a front portion of the base.
 12. The portablebasketball system as in claim 1, further comprising at least one wheelconnected to the elongated rigid member.
 13. A portable basketballsystem comprising: a basketball goal; a support pole sized andconfigured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface, thesupport pole including an upper end disposed proximate the basketballgoal and a lower end disposed proximate a support surface; a baseincluding a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receiveballast; a first brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, thetop portion being disposed less than 12 inches from the support surface;and a second brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the topportion being disposed less than 12 inches from the support surface, thefirst and second braces being connected to generally opposing portionsof the support pole.
 14. The portable basketball system as in claim 13,wherein the basketball goal includes a rim assembly including a ring,mounting member connected to the rim, a rim brace connected to the ringand the mounting member, and a reinforcing member including a first endconnected to the ring and a second end connected to the rim brace, thesecond end being spaced apart from the first end.
 15. The portablebasketball system as in claim 13, wherein the top portion of the firstbrace is disposed less than 8 inches from the support surface; andwherein the top portion of the second brace is disposed less than 8inches from the support surface.
 16. The portable basketball system asin claim 13, wherein the top portion of the first brace is disposedbetween 8 to 12 inches from the support surface; and wherein the topportion of the second brace is disposed between 8 to 12 inches from thesupport surface.
 17. The portable basketball system as in claim 13,wherein the first brace is disposed at an angle that is between 20 to 30degrees relative to the support surface; and wherein the second brace isdisposed at an angle that is between 20 to 30 degrees relative to thesupport surface.
 18. The portable basketball system as in claim 13,wherein the first brace is disposed at an angle that is less than 30degrees relative to the support surface; and wherein the second brace isdisposed at an angle that is less than 30 degrees relative to thesupport surface.
 19. The portable basketball system as in claim 13,wherein the top portion of the first brace is disposed at a height thatis less than the height of a top portion of the base; and wherein thetop portion of the second brace is disposed at a height that is lessthan the height of the top portion of the base.
 20. A basketball goalcomprising: a rim assembly including a ring, mounting member connectedto the rim, a rim brace connected to the ring and the mounting member,and a reinforcing member including a first end connected to the ring anda second end connected to the rim brace, the second end being spacedapart from the first end.
 21. The basketball goal as in claim 20,wherein the reinforcing member comprises a tie rod.